Consider the following statements regarding the views of James Mill on education in India: 1. He believed the British effort should be to teach what the natives wanted in order to please them. 2. He argued that education should focus on scientific and technical advances rather than sacred literature. 3. He was a supporter of the Orientalist vision of learning. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (b). Explanation The ideological debate regarding the nature of education to be imparted in India during British rule. James Mill was a prominent Utilitarian thinker who strongly criticized the Orientalist approach and advocated for Western education based on practical utility. - Statement 1 is Incorrect: James Mill attacked the Orientalist view that British efforts should focus on teaching what the natives wanted or respected in order to please them or "win a place in their hearts." He believed the aim of education should not be to please the natives but to be useful and practical. - Statement 2 is Correct: Mill argued that Indians should be made familiar with the scientific and technical advances that the West had made, rather than with the poetry and sacred literature of the Orient. He viewed traditional Indian literature as unscientific and lacking in practical value. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: James Mill was one of the harshest critics of the Orientalist vision of learning. He did not support the promotion of Sanskrit or Persian learning; instead, he advocated for Anglicist policies rooted in Utilitarianism. Key Takeaway: James Mill, representing the Utilitarian school, opposed the Orientalist policy of appeasement and advocated for an education system focused on Western scientific knowledge and practical utility over traditional sacred literature.

NCERT Class 8 History — Chapter 5: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation

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Consider the following statements regarding the views of James Mill on education in India:

He believed the British effort should be to teach what the natives wanted in order to please them.
He argued that education should focus on scientific and technical advances rather than sacred literature.
He was a supporter of the Orientalist vision of learning.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

The ideological debate regarding the nature of education to be imparted in India during British rule. James Mill was a prominent Utilitarian thinker who strongly criticized the Orientalist approach and advocated for Western education based on practical utility.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: James Mill attacked the Orientalist view that British efforts should focus on teaching what the natives wanted or respected in order to please them or "win a place in their hearts." He believed the aim of education should not be to please the natives but to be useful and practical.
Statement 2 is Correct: Mill argued that Indians should be made familiar with the scientific and technical advances that the West had made, rather than with the poetry and sacred literature of the Orient. He viewed traditional Indian literature as unscientific and lacking in practical value.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: James Mill was one of the harshest critics of the Orientalist vision of learning. He did not support the promotion of Sanskrit or Persian learning; instead, he advocated for Anglicist policies rooted in Utilitarianism.

Key Takeaway: James Mill, representing the Utilitarian school, opposed the Orientalist policy of appeasement and advocated for an education system focused on Western scientific knowledge and practical utility over traditional sacred literature.

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation

With reference to the tradition of Orientalism in late 18th-century India, consider the following statements: 1. William Jones arrived in Calcutta in 1783 primarily to set up the Department of Education for the East India Company. 2. Henry Thomas Colebrooke and Nathaniel Halhed were involved in translating Sanskrit and Persian works into English. 3. The Asiatic Society of Bengal was established by William Jones in collaboration with other British officials interested in Indian heritage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which one of the following institutions was established in 1781 to promote the study of Arabic, Persian, and Islamic law?

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With reference to the early educational institutions established by the British, consider the following pairs: 1. Calcutta Madrasa : 1781 2. Hindu College, Benaras : 1791 3. Asiatic Society of Bengal : 1783 4. Serampore College : 1818 How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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With reference to the English Education Act of 1835, consider the following statements: 1. It was introduced following the recommendations of James Mill. 2. It made English the medium of instruction for higher education. 3. It proposed the establishment of new Oriental institutions like the Calcutta Madrasa. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Thomas Macaulay emphasised the need to teach the English language in India for which of the following reasons? 1. To allow Indians to read the finest literature the world had produced. 2. To make Indians aware of developments in Western science and philosophy. 3. To change the tastes, values, and culture of the people. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Statement 1 is Incorrect: James Mill attacked the Orientalist view that British efforts should focus on teaching what the natives wanted or respected in order to please them or "win a place in their hearts." He believed the aim of education should not be to please the natives but to be useful and practical.
Statement 2 is Correct: Mill argued that Indians should be made familiar with the scientific and technical advances that the West had made, rather than with the poetry and sacred literature of the Orient. He viewed traditional Indian literature as unscientific and lacking in practical value.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: James Mill was one of the harshest critics of the Orientalist vision of learning. He did not support the promotion of Sanskrit or Persian learning; instead, he advocated for Anglicist policies rooted in Utilitarianism.